Statement from the Department of Ob/Gyn on Antiracism

The Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center condemns racism and commits to taking action to become an affirmatively antiracist organization. Please see below for a letter from Mary E. D'Alton, MD, Chair of the Department of Ob/Gyn at CUIMC.


Dear Columbia Ob/Gyn Community,

I write today to extend the thoughts that I shared on our departmental call last Friday afternoon following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis while he was in police custody. 

The Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center condemns racism and commits to the antiracism work that we must do over the coming weeks, months, and years, as individuals and as a collective.

As I noted on the call, we have significant work to do. While we have made efforts to examine the driving factors involved in high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, to create a more inclusive working and learning environment for our faculty, trainees, and staff, and to deliver the highest quality care to our patients, I know that there is much more to be done to combat systemic racism. I commit that our department will develop a plan and take the actions needed to become an affirmatively antiracist organization. As we do that, I personally plan to engage with some of these resources and encourage you to do the same.

I also want to express my support for all of the people in this community and beyond that experience racial injustice in their daily lives, that worry about the safety and well-being of themselves and/or their family members and communities as a result, and that have not seen enough action on these issues by those well-positioned to take it. Let us commit to coming together to do this work and to create a more equitable future.

With deepest gratitude and respect for all that you do to make us better,

Mary

Mary E. D’Alton, MD
Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at CUIMC